December, 2020 | Horse Racing Free Tips

International Federation Of Horseracing Authorities Publish Minimum Horse Welfare Standards

The Horse Welfare Committee of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) has produced guidance on standards for the care and welfare of horses at different times of their life, which is in line with its terms of reference that include promoting best practice, harmonization and information exchange across racing nations. Titled “IFHA Minimum Horse Welfare Standards”, this paper complements recent reforms which will ensure the traceability of horses from their foal stage through into retirement and beyond.

Racing authorities should refer to this guidance to establish accepted horse welfare practices in their jurisdiction and to set minimum standards of participant behavior, including behavioral change where necessary.

“The IFHA affirms the central role of the horse in racing, and accordingly, regards the health and welfare of racehorses, in all stages of life, to be fundamentally important to the viability and sustainability of the industry,” said IFHA Chairman Louis Romanet. “The Executive Council of the Federation endorses this IFHA Minimum Horse Welfare Standards document and I want to thank our Horse Welfare Committee Chairman Jamie Stier for leading the efforts to produce this useful and practical guide for racing authorities.”

The IFHA's Horse Welfare Committee has prepared these standards, in part, by basing them upon sections of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) “Thoroughbred Welfare Assessment Guidelines” (October 2019) which were developed by NZTR with the assistance of Professor Emeritus David Mellor, Foundation Director of the Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre at Massey University, New Zealand.

In conjunction with the publication of the IFHA Minimum Horse Welfare Standards, a short video and podcast have been produced, featuring Mr Stier, who is also the Executive General Manager, Integrity Services, Racing Victoria, along with the aforementioned Mellor, and Dr Lynn Hillyer, Chief Veterinary Officer and Head of Anti-Doping for the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. The panel was moderated by esteemed British racing presenter Rishi Persad.

The post International Federation Of Horseracing Authorities Publish Minimum Horse Welfare Standards appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance to Hold Stallion Auction

The Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance (ITA), a not-for-profit group formed in 2020 of breeders, owners, trainers, and racing enthusiasts dedicated to the continued success of Thoroughbred breeding and racing in Indiana, is hosting their first annual stallion service auction. Held on Starquine.com, the auction will begin Dec. 18 at 11:00 a.m. ET and end Dec. 21 at 7:00 p.m. ET. A preview will be held Dec. 17.

Stallions from Indiana will be featured, as will sires standing in Kentucky, California, and Florida. Goods and services, ranging from training to transport to graphic design, will also be offered.

“We are proud to not only support the breeders and owners of Indiana racehorses,” said auction organizer Christine Cagle, owner of Springcliff Farm, “but also support Indiana racehorses as they retire and move on to their second careers with the proceeds of this auction.”

The auction will benefit Thoroughbred aftercare in Indiana, including Friends of Ferdinand, Indiana’s only Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)-affiliated group. For more information, visit indianatb.org.

The post Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance to Hold Stallion Auction appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Meadow Stable’s True Hero: Riva Ridge

You should not believe everything you see in a sports movie. In Hollywood, the truth often gets twisted to enhance a story line. Contrary to what was depicted in the movie “Rudy,” Notre Dame coach Dan Devine was not against practice squad player Daniel Ruettiger appearing in a game. He was the one who came up with the idea.

Non-Compliance Of Flu Vaccine Administration Leaves Horses Vulnerable

Horses in the United Kingdom may be at risk of the flu even if they are vaccinated because of non-compliance with manufacturing guidelines, research shows. Drs. Amie Wilson, Gina Pinchbeck, Rachel Dean and Catherine McGowan created a survey that asked equine vets in the UK to describe their vaccination practices. The study team then compared these protocols with manufacturer guidelines and datasheets.

Of the 304 responses, 92 percent indicated that the recommendations they give owners are not consistent with manufacturer guidelines for administering the vaccine. Vets most often used vaccination guidelines from the British Horseracing Authority and the Fédération Equestre Internationale.

Additionally, there was variation in vaccine booster protocol for competition and noncompetition horses. The most recommended strategy, given by 57 percent of survey respondents, was a 6-month flu vaccine shot for competition horses and annual flu vaccine administration for non-competition horses.

Nearly 86 percent of vets reported that their clients were reluctant to administer vaccines because of fear of over vaccination, cost and the potential for adverse reactions. Of the vets who responded, 66 percent had horses that experienced an adverse reaction to vaccination, but only 19 percent of these vaccination reactions were reported to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. Most reactions included stiffness, swelling, lethargy and fever.

The study team noted that there is a discrepancy between manufacturer guidelines for flu vaccinations and those issued by governing bodies for equestrian sport and racing. Non-compliance is common, leaving horses at risk for getting the flu.

Read the study here.